Several initiatives to enhance the quality of education and the life of students in the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year have been launched by government entities.
Ahead of the schools reopening next month, the Industry and Commerce Ministry’s Consumer Protection Directorate has introduced the Consumer’s Friend initiative, which aims to support citizens and residents by ensuring quality products at fair prices.
The programme, which runs until November, invites retailers to offer discounts on school-related products such as stationery, uniforms, electronics, furniture, food items and more.
It is being held for the third year in a row as part of efforts to ensure affordability of commodities and food products provided by the commercial sector to consumers, citizens and residents in Bahrain.
The ministry’s inspectors are out in full force to ensure retailers are following rules and regulations in an effort to combat price gouging, as demand for items such as stationary and school bags are expected to soar in the coming days.
“A wide inspection plan to monitor product quality, price fairness and availability aims to ensure diverse options for families,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
“The back-to-school season is an opportunity to strengthen public-private partnerships, and this initiative highlights the role of Bahraini families and retailers in making the academic year easier and more promising for students.”
Last week, the Education Ministry announced that with the new academic year, all public school students will benefit from ‘a distinguished nutritional experience’.
Healthy meals will be provided in line with the highest quality standards through partnerships with leading private sector companies.
“The meals are designed to meet students’ essential nutritional needs, ensuring balanced calories and ingredients that support both physical growth and cognitive development,” said a statement.
Meals that will be offered to students include freshly-cooked kebabs, macaroni and pasta, mini pizzas and freshly-baked bread and cupcakes.
There will also be a variety of sandwich options including pesto chicken, labneh olive, cheese with herbs, sliced cheese, and a number of salad and fresh juice choices.
Meanwhile, comprehensive cleaning is being carried out across all public schools in preparation for the start of the new academic year.
The operations cover all school facilities, including courtyards, classrooms, offices and other areas.
Windows, benches, doors, floors, stairs, bathrooms and more have all undergone thorough cleaning in order to welcome students back next week in the best possible way.
The GDN reported last week that thousands of primary, intermediate and secondary students in government schools will return to their classes on September 3, as the 2025-2026 academic year starts.
Ahead of the new academic year, the Education Ministry has completed reviewing facilities at educational institutions including maintenance work and installing energy-efficient air conditioners in classrooms.
A total of 5,000 new air conditioning units were installed in schools across the country, while a fleet of buses including new vehicles were ready to transport hundreds of students.
Buses have also been allocated by the ministry for special needs students.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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